Jamie with best friend & fellow Ambassador, Tom Jamie with best friend & fellow Ambassador, Tom. Hi my name is Jamie Plourde and I live in Pembroke NH. I am 24 years old and I have a beautiful baby girl named Lily, who is now 1 year old. I was diagnosed with Friedreich's Ataxia when I was 8 years old. When I was 13, I had a spinal fusion surgery and I have been in a wheelchair ever since. Unfortunately, the hardware in my spine broke sending me back to the hospital three months later for a corrective procedure. I was really thankful when that mess was all done! Jamie with best friend & fellow Ambassador, Tom.

In 2011, I won the title of Miss Wheelchair NH and went to the nationwide pageant representing my state. I met some amazing woman and some fearless wheelchair users that inspired me to express myself the way I wanted to... regardless of my disability. At the national pageant, I won the Most Colorful Life Award (kind of like Miss Congeniality). The judges all agreed that out of all the contestants I was the one that lived my life to the fullest and had the most vibrant lifestyle! This all boosted my self esteem, which at times had been shaky. Since the pageant, I have continued to live my life to the fullest. My main goal is to have people see me first and foremost for who I am, and the disability second.

My other goal is to find a really good looking man to sweep me off of my feet (literally)! My daughter Lily has inspired me even more to be happy with myself! In order to be a good mom to her, I have to live a happy life and be a good role model. :) I have met so many amazing friends through FARA and I am thankful everyday for all of the incredible people on my team fighting the same fight that I am. I have no doubt that someday we will find a cure, especially with wonderful people on our side, like Dr. Lynch and Jen Farmer. <3

Jamie